"What You Can Do Now: Tips for Protecting Against Sex Trafficking Claims"

Swift Currie attorney, Kori Wagner, authored an article for Hotel Online discussing how lodging facilities and corporate franchisors can protect themselves as they are increasingly targeted with sex trafficking claims.

“Over the past few years, hundreds of lawsuits have been filed around the country against lodging facilities and corporate franchisors by individuals who allege that they were trafficked for sex at one or more locations,” Wagner explained. “These are niche cases filed by a handful of law firms that typically include federal claims based on the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Protection Act, along with state law claims such as negligence, premises liability, vicarious liability, and nuisance, and present unique challenges to hotel owners and operators.”

While it is impossible to ensure complete immunity from these types of claims, Wagner shared some preventative measures to help hoteliers be better prepared if a claim arises, including:

• Effective record retention policy;
• Protect and preserve information pertaining to employees and others regularly on the property;
• Review security measures; and,
• Implement trainings for all staff on crime prevention and identification of potential trafficking.

To view the full article, you may click here.